Like a good roller coaster, the thriller starts slow and steady until faced with a long uphill climb. The higher you get, the coaster’s vista is a preview to the complex mystery that unravels once you reach the apex. Such is the case with Justin and Timothy Foia’s thriller, Point Defiance.
Our mystery begins with Peter (Derek Phillips), a man living on an isolated farm along the Puget Sound called Point Defiance. The property itself is gorgeous, and Peter lives an affluent lifestyle. He’s on the phone working out a rather large property deal. Peter hasn’t left Point Defiance in months, thanks to a prison ankle bracelet. The bracelet is an inconvenience, but it sure beats prison, and the setting is quite tranquil. But what did Peter do?
“…Crystal is gone, and Alex is acting suspiciously by heading off to the shed to ‘take care of something.'”
One morning, Peter’s brother, Alex (Josh Crotty), appears out of nowhere in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Alex has just returned from active duty in the Middle East and appears to suffer from PTSD. His appearance creates a significant disruption in Peter’s life. First, Alex orders a large case of booze, not knowing Peter is now sober (probably has something to do with the ankle bracelet). Alex also reminds Peter of their tumultuous relationship with their father, and lastly, Alex hires a prostitute to satiate some urges.
Upset by his return, Peter heads off to bed, while Alex spends time with the escort, Crystal (Lauren Elaine). When Peter wakes the next morning, Crystal is gone, and Alex is acting suspiciously by heading off to the shed to “take care of something.” It also doesn’t help that Peter discovers traces of blood here and there. Soon enough, a pair of police detectives (Sarah Butler and Steven Swadling) arrive inquiring if anyone had seen a missing woman (who looks like Crystal) as her abandoned car was found just outside Peter’s property. Peter says no and covers for Alex. The ankle bracelet gives Peter the best alibi. But what exactly did Alex do and why is the camera drawn to a small clearing in the forest?
"…Peter hasn't left Point Defiance in months, thanks to a prison ankle bracelet."
